Field anesthesia - experience in United Nation missions

ABSTRACT

To communicate the experiences of anaesthesiologists while working in United Nations [UN] peace keeping missions in different parts of the world. Questionnaire based observational study. A questionnaire was sent to anaesthesiologists who had served in UN missions. The response was evaluated by simple percentage. Problems identified in a UN missions are setup of operating room, high prevalences of HIV, Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus among the population of host country, different sources of medical stores, short supply of medical gases and problems related to malaria and its prophylaxis. The problems can be overcome by prior planning, use of non conventional practices of anesthesia and vigilance in monitoring in operating rooms and post operative recovery units. Optimal utilization of the equipment can be achieved with the help of non governmental organizations